The Politics of “Grand Titles” in South Sudan
By Yach Atiop Yach, Juba, South Sudan
September 22, 2016 (SSB) — If titles were used as mean of prestige, many in South Sudan won’t have shortage at all cost but some are trying and they are getting rich because of their titles. However people in this country have used this opportunity to dream at any night or day and dared to achieve these dreams to rise to any position he/she deemed at the shortest time possible.
One of the mean of achieving this title is by opposing the government. One waited for some time and decided to join rebellion, waited for negotiated peace or president’s amnesty and come back with major rank of his/her choice when none was close to that rank before opting to rebel against the state. In the end, this rank does so little to him/her rather than being referred to only for some, while others who have played their cards benefits more.
Titles are now so rampant either as a product of rebellion awarded to them by In Opposition (IO) as governors, commissioners as well as by In Government (IG) having so many positions of commissioners in the country as of present. On State TV (SSBC) channel, states’ decrees are being read every day for the new appointments to various position. But I ask myself what benefits are accruing to these titles?
Having been appointed as commissioner for county X or Y either by IO or government and you have no budget to showcase your title to your constituents so that they can judge you if your title is commendable or not is one time happy moment like one smartly dressed to please the onlookers but end up not receiving any congratulation by the end of the day.
The real example is that County commissioners will be enjoying their titles either granted to them by virtue of EO#36 or rebel’s appointment, but guess what? Some dudes who are appointees courtesy of EO#36 will regret for accepting to campaign for those titles when they will be missing their lucrative salaries some were getting in the NGOs for the mere praise of being“Mahapas”or “Wali “for that matter as some will not set foot to their state due to insecurity but end up stranded in Juba with that title.
The reality is that titles in South Sudan are not benefiting the low titles but favoring the big fishes who swallowed them, making the little to drooled, hence paving ways for them to go to the bush in order to upgrade their titles and come back with disproportionate ones, the very example is of my co-prefect at Fashoda Primary School David Yau Yau.
You all know the story if you are a South Sudanese, how he rise to his current fame. His sudden rise came due to claim of his ethnicity and lead a campaign for recognition decorating himself with what he never had before, Some people call that process ‘Moc ror du” thank God, his brutal war came to an end due to the title as he was confirmed and promoted, to none South Sudanese.
I already alluded that rebellion is a major aspect of titles in South Sudan. Some accepted to take up arms as he/she will come back with abnormal title which somehow have no use if you are not close to power.
If one has a title and isn’t productive, what is the essence of that title? May be that why some want to have big titles to loot with impunity as none will question their actions because their titles will burn you if not causing blisters. Spare me for I have no title to scare you.
Yach Atiop Yach is an Atlas Corps Alumni (USA) – Atlas Corps is an International Network of Nonprofit Leaders and Organizations, He holds Bachelor Degree of Business Administration (Accounting) from Kampala International University (KIU) – Uganda. You can reach him through his email, atiopy@gmail.com
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